The Federal High Court in Abuja has summoned Adeola Ajayi, Director-General of Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS), to appear in court and explain why he should not be imprisoned for contempt.
The summons, signed by the court registrar, directs Ajayi to appear and “show cause why an order for your committal should not be made.”
The court order derives from charges that the DSS failed to follow a mandate from Justice Binta Nyako, who had ordered the agency to provide Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), access to his legal team three times a week.
Despite the court-mandated timetable, the DSS has not allowed Kanu’s attorney any visitation since September 27, according to court papers.
The court observed that this limitation has jeopardized Kanu’s legal rights by impeding the development of his defense.
The court responded by sending Ajayi a “Form 48 Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to the Order of Court” on October 18, warning that any more noncompliance would be considered contempt and might lead to jail time.
Currently facing a seven-count indictment, including treasonable felony, Kanu has been in DSS custody since his contentious extradition from Kenya in 2021.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli